On Media

NY-19: Sean Eldridge concedes defeat

By DYLAN BYERS

11/04/2014 11:12 PM EST

Sean Eldridge, the husband of New Republic owner and Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, has conceded defeat to Republican incumbent Chris Gibson in New York's 19th congressional district, bringing an end to one of the more quixotic campaigns of the 2014 season.

“I am incredibly grateful to my hardworking team, my friends in the labor community, and the more than a thousand volunteers who put so much time and energy into our campaign. I hope they will stay involved in the political process and continue to make their voices heard," Eldridge said in a statement late Tuesday night, in part. “I congratulate Congressman Gibson on his victory and wish him and his family well. I hope that he and our elected officials from both sides of the aisle will rise above partisan gridlock and get to work on the urgent issues facing our region and our nation.”

Eldridge's odds were low from the get-go: He and Hughes, then both in their 20s, were portrayed as carpetbaggers. They had bought a $5 million estate in Garrison so that Eldridge could run for Congress in the 18th district, then bought a $2 million home up the river, in the 19th, when that seat seemed unattainable. By September, a poll showed Eldridge losing to Gibson by 24 points. Half a week before Election Day, he was behind by 23-point lead. A New York Times report noted that Gibson was "strong among Democrats."

It wasn't a total net loss for Democrats, of course. Several strategists, including the folks at SKDKnickerbocker, made a pretty penny off Eldridge and Hughes' millions.